Mowing railway embankments with the AS 990 Tahr RC
Several sections of the Swiss railway network operated by SBB, totalling around 100 kilometres of track: anyone responsible for mowing railway embankments on this scale needs a reliable workflow. Every additional interruption is repeated many times along the route. At the same time, the mowing technology must not place unnecessary strain on the turf.
A Swiss service provider therefore sought an alternative to the flail mower previously in use. Agria Landmaschinen AG brought the AS 990 Tahr RC for a demonstration on the railway line. The focus was on cutting quality, performance on slopes and bidirectional mowing without constant turning.
When the previous mowing method damages the turf
Previously, a flail mower had been used. Its spiked rollers and flails left visible damage to the turf on these areas. This does not make the flail mower the wrong machine in principle. In dense growth, scrub or woody material, a flail mower can be exactly the right choice. However, for these SBB sections, a cleaner, less invasive result was required.
The decision therefore did not start with the most powerful engine or the widest working width, but with the mowing method. The requirement was for a machine that could handle steep railway embankments in a controlled manner, protect the existing grass area and require fewer critical manoeuvres over the long sections.
Why 100 kilometres of track changes the work logic
On a short embankment, a turning manoeuvre barely matters. With several SBB sections totalling around 100 kilometres of track, the calculation is different. Braking, turning, realigning and restarting takes time. On a steep slope, every change of direction demands additional attention.
The decisive factor was therefore whether the machine could mow one section and then continue working directly in the opposite direction. The time saved comes from the more consistent workflow. At the same time, turning movements that could place additional strain on the ground are eliminated.
Bidirectional mowing without turning at the end of the track
The AS 990 Tahr RC is equipped with a double-sided open rotary mower deck. This allows the remote-controlled crawler machine to mow forwards and backwards. After completing one section, the operator simply changes the direction of travel. The machine can continue working in the opposite direction without any turning manoeuvre.
According to the manufacturer, the ground pressure is 0.13 kg/cm². The crawler tracks distribute the weight over a large contact area, while the remote control keeps the operator safely away from the embankment. AS-Motor specifies a slope capability of up to 56 degrees and an area performance of up to 4,500 m² per hour. In practice, such figures depend on vegetation, terrain and working methods. During the demonstration, the focus was therefore on performance on the specific area.
Demonstration on the SBB embankment
Agria Landmaschinen AG tested the machine on embankments with 40 to 55 degrees of slope. The images show dry vegetation, a steep area directly adjacent to the tracks and the operator at a safe distance from the crawler. The Tahr remained controllable and delivered a consistent cutting result.
For Lukas Wälti, the demonstration was also a technical evaluation. Now the Sales Manager, he previously worked in technical consulting. His attention therefore focused on the mowing result, machine construction, accessibility and future service.
“On the SBB embankment, the AS 990 Tahr RC demonstrated its capabilities under real conditions. The bidirectional mowing is perfectly suited to long sections because the machine can continue working without turning manoeuvres. In addition, there is the clean cutting result, the maintenance-friendly design and the short distance to our service centre. This overall package was convincing.”
Lukas Wälti, Sales Manager at Agria Landmaschinen AG
Service proximity becomes part of the purchasing decision
For a service provider with multiple SBB sections, mowing performance is only part of the equation. If a machine is regularly used on different routes, inspections, wear parts and maintenance work must be possible without unnecessary downtime.
The Tahr has a clear layout. The foldable engine hood provides access to the central components; oil level and air filter can be checked at direct service points. Equally important for this specific customer: Agria Landmaschinen AG’s external service centre is only a few kilometres away. A short service distance does not replace a maintenance-friendly design, but it usefully complements it in day-to-day operations.
A convincing test, but no final order yet
The demonstration answered the key questions on site: the AS 990 Tahr RC worked in a controlled manner on the steep railway embankment, mowed in both directions and delivered the desired cutting result. The service conditions also match the operational profile.
The purchasing decision has not yet been finalised. However, after this test, the AS 990 Tahr RC is a concrete candidate for future embankment maintenance along the railway. For similar service providers, this case demonstrates one thing above all: on long, linear slopes, the ability to continue mowing without turning can be more important than a single top technical specification.
